product – Memphis Flyer

I kept seeing the commercials on TV for this shower-cleaning gadget that promised to transform the tile in my shower in 14 days flat. I thought, Um, have you seen my shower? We’ll put that sucker to the test.

So I shelled out my $26 and bought the Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner, installed it in my little tomb of doom, and sat back for the next two weeks to see the results. As instructed, I pushed the button on the contraption once a day, after the last shower of the day when the surface is still wet. I love things that beep in a countdown kind of way, so the cleaner won that early battle with me. After a time delay, the 360-degree power sprayer squirts the cleaning solution to hit all four walls and the floor of the shower.

But does it pass the test? Consider the following to determine if it would be right for you:

What’s your shower feng shui?

If you already have a shower organizer hanging from your showerhead, you’ll have to do some rearranging before using the cleaner. The Scrubbing Bubbles folks did consider this, and there is an optional caddy that you can hang with the cleaner. It holds a few bath products and has storage for razors and sponges. However, if space is limited in your shower, you might feel a bit

cramped. My shower has a hand-held showerhead, and the cleaner gets in the way of the hose, causing the showerhead to spray off to the right.

What’s in your wallet?

The cleaner comes with the necessary four AA batteries and two bottles of cleaner to get you started. The batteries should last “up to four months” — if you keep the battery compartment clean and dry, a slight difficulty considering it hangs in your shower. Since the cleaner does not work with rechargeable batteries, you’ll need to purchase replacements about three times a year and a new bottle of cleaner (about $4 a pop) every 21 days.

Pros and Cons.

The shower cleaner is better than not cleaning at all. I started with a fairly clean shower. The cast-iron tub and white tile in my 1950s house is prone to mildew buildup, and, since using the cleaner, I’ve noticed a marked improvement here — though around day 15, I did begin to see some mildew creep up behind a shampoo bottle in the corner of the tub. While the cleaner solution has not left a residue on the tile or tub, it has made the vinyl shower-curtain liner a little cloudy. The cleaner’s instructions warn that this is likely to happen when the solution is sprayed onto dry surfaces, but the residue does wipe off with a damp cloth.

What’s the bottom line?

If you’re someone who demands an impeccably clean bathroom, you’ll probably be frustrated by what the Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner is incapable of. The reach of the sprayer is impressive, and the solution smells pretty good. If you’re devoted to daily shower cleaning, the automatic cleaner is a good option, as you’re just pushing a button instead of doing the spraying yourself. If you prefer managing the upkeep of the cleaner for the ease of not having to spray daily or scrub weekly, then this is also probably a good choice for you.

If you’re a perfectionist, stick to the elbow grease. It’s the only way you’ll sleep at night. ■ — GA

I don’t hate vacuuming. But I do hate when I have to clean something that my vacuum is inadequate for or when I have to frequently empty the vacuum or buy new bags.

The Dyson DC14 “Animal” promises to correct these typical complaints. On a recent test drive, I found it to be as good a vacuum as I’ve used, though perhaps it doesn’t entirely live up to the expectations I had, seeing as how it claims to be “the most powerful upright for pet hair.”

The Dyson has lots of little features and characteristics that take some time to get used to but that are very handy once you do get the hang of them. For example, the leading edge of the main floor component is too low to the ground to suck up larger pieces of refuse, such as dried cat food. But by briefly positioning the handle of the vacuum vertically, the base angles upward to allow room for any large bit of dirt to get sucked up.

The vacuum also comes with many attachments and a telescoping, easy-to-maneuver arm for cleaning up high and on furniture. The hose to the arm extends 17 feet, so you can easily vacuum stairs without having to deal with a bulky base.

The crevice tool is the best I’ve ever used. It’s slanted, so when vacuuming behind and in between couch cushions, you don’t have to bend or strain your back to reach down deep. It also has a second opening on the side of the attachment. If the main opening is blocked, it can still suck in dirt.

It also has an attachment with stationary brushes surrounding the opening for dirt. If you’ve put some kind of cleaner on the floor that needs to be rubbed into the surface, let the vacuum do the rubbing.

Marketed as being a beast on animal hair, on this count, at least, I had disapointing results. The Dyson has an attachment with a spinning brush to pick up animal hair, and I found that it was more effective if you don’t push down hard on the implement. (The brush spins faster if it’s not being blocked by the upholstery you’re trying to clean.) The vacuum cleaned 95 percent effectively, but it left behind some of those hairs that act as if they’re sewn into the fabric. I suppose nothing on earth can get those out.

On a flat expanse of hardwood, the sucking action is strong enough to compel dust bunnies and lighter dirt toward it even when the vacuum is still several inches away. (My pets, on the other hand, were compelled to flee the scene.)

The machine’s design is attractive, and it’s easy to use once you get the hang of it. It’s got some heft to it, which I like on a hardwood floor. The exertion needed to push it across carpeting may be greater.

One great feature is how you empty the chamber of dirt. The vacuum collects the dirt in a see-through compartment. When you’re ready to empty it, release the section from the vacuum, hold it over your trashcan, and push a button to make the bottom open, spilling the contents into the waste bin. Your hands never get dirty. Since it doesn’t require bags or filters (it has a lifetime HEPA filter), over the long haul you’ll save money on the vacuum, which sells for $549.99 at www.dyson.com.

Despite its few instances of underwhelming performance, the Dyson DC14 “Animal” is still the best vacuum I’ve ever used, taking into consideration the functionability, ease of use, and price. You may not look forward to vacuuming, but you’ll certainly enjoy how clean it gets your home. ■ — GA